HomeThere are two Water Tanks that are required in a House:
The Underground Water tank also known as the Sump. The municipal water pipe is connected to the Sump. Hence this tank has to be close to the road as the water lines run along the road. Usually it is located below the Car Porch/Garage.
The Overhead Water Tank. The water from the sump or Well/Borewell has to be pumped into the Overhead tank in order for it to be able to flow down into the house.
Here, I have explained the Vastu Guidelines for Water Tanks. Since Vastu is a science, there is logic and reasoning behind every guideline. As an Architect, I have attempted to explain these guidelines rationally and scientifically, so that you can decide what you want to follow and what you don’t.
WHAT IS THE BEST POSITION FOR AN OVERHEAD WATER TANK ACCORDING TO VASTU?
The Overhead water tank should be in the West or South-West of the building: The Reasoning - The South-West corner should be the heaviest, to create a balance of positive energies in the house/building.
Avoid the Overhead tank in the North-East corner of the House: The Reasoning – Though the North-East corner represents Water, avoid a tank here because the North-East has to be the lightest part of the house for a balance of positive energies.
Avoid the Overhead water tank in the South-East corner. Also, avoid the Overhead water tank in the North-West corner (if possible). However if it can be located only in the North-West, then it should be small in size, of less height, and situated at a distance of at least two feet from the North-West corner. The Scientific Reason – The basic rule in Vastu is that the building should be higher in the South and West sides and should be much lower in the North and East sides. By keeping the North and East sides much lower, constant sunlight from the North and morning sunlight from the East can reach all parts of the house, whereas by raising the building on the South and West sides, the hot evening sun will be prevented from heating up the rest of the house.
Avoid the Overhead tank in the centre of the building (Bramhasthan) - as it is a load on Bramha, the supreme one. The Scientific Reason - Structurally it is not safe to have a water tank in the middle of the house roof, unless it is a column-beam structure.
WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE DESIGN OF AN OVERHEAD WATER TANK?
The Overhead tank should not directly rest on the roof slab: The Scientific Reason – In case there is a leak in the tank, the dampness can seep into the building causing structural damage and fungus growth which is not good for the health of the family.
The Overhead tank should be at least 2′ (60cm) above the topmost roof slab: The Reason - The higher the water tank is above the building, the greater will be the pressure of water, thus enabling the water to flow in full force in all the taps.
The Overhead water tank can be lined with light coloured tiles: The Logic – This will ensure cleanliness of the tank, as it is easy to maintain and there is less likelihood of growth of fungus. Moreover, the white tiles allow one to see all the dirt while cleaning.
Avoid plastic water tanks as far as possible: The Scientific Reason – We are still not sure about the health hazards of storing water in plastic containers. But today because of the convenience of plastic tanks and the inevitable leakage of concrete tanks, we are seeing more and more plastic water tanks.
In case you use plastic water tanks, use black or dark blue coloured ones: The Scientific Reason – Dark colours generally absorb the sun’s rays which are useful in purifying the water, due to the UV rays.
Two seperate Overhead water tanks are preferred – One , for storing water for drinking, cooking etc and the other, for storing water for bathrooms, gardens etc: The Logic – Nowadays, due to the shortage of piped water, it is advisable to use this water only for cooking and drinking purposes, as it is generally chlorinated, purified water. The water from an additional water source, like Well or Borewell within the site can be used for Bathrooms and Toilets as you may not be sure of the purity. Naturally the water from theses two sources should not mix and so it is better to have two separate tanks.
The Solar geyser should be above the level of the overhead water tank: to ensure proper flow of water, and all the equipment attached to the same should be installed in the South-East of the roof. The Scientific Reason – Since the South East is considered the corner representing Fire, ‘Vastu pundits’ generally recommend that all electrical and heat related appliances be placed in the South-East. That is the only scientific explanation!
The Overhead tanks are located on top of the roof and are accessed by the Staircase. Read the Vastu Guidelines for a Staircase here:
Related Topics:
- VASTU SHASTRA
- VASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
- VASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
- VASTU GUIDELINES | SELECTION OF SITE
- VASTU GUIDELINES | DESIGN OF A HOUSE
- VASTU GUIDELINES | STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION
- LOGIC BEHIND SUPERSTITIONS
July 6th, 2009 at 11:44 am
It’s a pity that people don’t realize the importance of this information. Thanks for posing it.
January 11th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Actually,good post. thx
May 20th, 2010 at 5:36 am
my house is an west facing portico and the main door is in north west ,i have a small sump in noth east corner , due to water shortage i wanted to construct a sump in northwest corner which is a portico also ,. should i do that for me it is important, what are the effects from the sump being in north west .plse let me know.
Dear Mr Bharath,
The best thing to do would be to enlarge the existing sump in the north-east, either in area or in depth, since the municipal water connection must be already in this corner. But if there is a space restriction, then it makes sense to have another sump in the North-West corner, since it is also an open portico. But make sure this doesn’t mean extra expense for another pump and for the change of the municipal connection.
Admin
June 24th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Please write on detail about underground water tank below Car porch/Garage in North-west Corner. because u r write somewhere that underground watertank present only in north-east but some where below car porch.
July 12th, 2010 at 12:00 am
good bcoz you have given reasons
May 17th, 2011 at 5:18 am
Hi
i have sump nearly at the north east direction of my west facing house. but as the sump is small and i have a space in south west corner of my building, i planing to construct sump can i do it. please reply urgently as i plan start work shortly
rgds
sridhar
June 4th, 2011 at 8:34 am
CORRECTION.
One comment says dark tanks are good because they absorb sun’s UV rays which purify water. WRONG. The UV rays can only purify water if the tank is clear and the UV rays can enter inside to kill bacteria. Please remove that comment, it is misleading.
September 10th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Correction. Dr.Agrawal. I understand that dark coloured tanks will limit the passage of sunlight to water. White or transparent tank would readily allow most light to pass to water in the tank. Sun Light will promote algae growth on the surface of tank. This is the reason. No funda of UV etc.
September 14th, 2011 at 4:31 am
what should we do if underground tank is in south east direction out of house and in the case of it can not change to any other direction
September 17th, 2011 at 12:20 am
Can I construct the compound Gate over the underground water tank ? Is it permitted by vastu shashtra ?
Although the opening of the tank would not come in front of the gate, but the gate lies above the underground tank.
September 22nd, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Presently I have a Water Tank 2 feet underground and 3 feet above ground level at the South East corner of the verandah. I want to remove it from there and make the ground level in the South East corner, and install an underground water tank in the South West corner of the verandah. I know that installing the overhead tank in the South West corner is the best solution as suggested by Vastu, but it is the frontage of the house and an overhead tank would spoil the frontage design and would also block the light and air to the drawing room. I can also consider the underground tank in the South West corner which is 4 feet underground and one feet above ground. Can you suggest the best solution given the constraints. Thanks in advance.
December 13th, 2011 at 5:54 am
I am having south facing house……..can make water sump under stair case in south west area of the house.
Pls advice.
January 4th, 2012 at 12:44 am
My house plot is constructed on the mountain rock which lies at the east side of the plot. The under ground water tank is constructed in north west corner due to the reason that its hard to demolish the rock at north east. Is this OK ?
February 8th, 2012 at 3:46 am
Hi,As I am having a southwest facing house,I have an open space in southwest.The directions N,E,S,W are at the corners of my house.Now I want to construct an underground water tank.Plz suggest me the right positrion for it .As I live at Dehradun,a semy hill station,the slop of my house is towards southwest.I also want to know that can I cunstruct an underground tank under one of my rooms(without touching the walls) that is in the north of my house? I don’t have an open space in North east direction.Plz give me your suggestions as soon as possible because some renovations are due in my house and i want to start the work as soon as possible.
April 8th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
my house is east facing. There are two bedroom & hall & kitchen according to vastu.There is also one room on south east corner on second floor. my overhead tank sevenfeet position at south west corner of plot. which is not equal to the roof of south east corner. because there is a room at south east.(aagney cone). please suggest me am i right.
April 22nd, 2012 at 10:44 am
my house is south facing but entry door is west facing i have to costruct a sump below the staircase at east south side the plot because there no other space. what i do ?